Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Fiona Duthie's Surface Design Class-Felter's Rendezvous 2014

   
                                             For the surface design class at Felter's Rendezvous...

                                                     ...our studio was spacious and well-lit...


                                                 ...with loads of yummy supplies on hand.


                                           The absolute highlight of the workshop for me, though...

                                ...was finally getting to meet my long-time blog friend, Fiona!! :)


                                               

                                              Her expert teaching style and friendly personality...                                 


                                  ...enabled each student to fully express herself in shape and color.


                                               Using a combination of exciting techniques...

                                    ...we fashioned felt 'samplers' during this intensive 2-day workshop.


                                      The finished work can now be installed as wall hangings...

                                      ...used as table runners...or even sewn into purses (my fav!). :)

                                                    

                                                   It was exciting to see all of the finished pieces...


                                      ...as each student's own unique project was revealed...


                               ...created with different kinds of wool roving, cotton and silk fabrics...

                                 ...non-textile inclusions (like beads and mirrors)...and lots of love!


                                             Felter's Rendezvous was an absolute joy for me...

                                      ...and much of the credit goes to my instructor, Fiona Duthie.

                                    If she's not headed to your neighborhood anytime soon...

                              ...consider signing up for one of her online surface design classes, here.

                           The weekly modules contain gorgeous photos and wonderful, clear directions...

                                        ...and the projects are quite inventive and fun to try!

                         In the online course, she answers questions and comments on all posted work...

                                    ...a sure way to take your feltmaking in wonderful new directions!!

                                                      Next time: Fun with felting friends in Boulder!

Monday, March 10, 2014

Felter's Rendezvous 2014

                                                Estes Park, Colorado is a magical place...


                                    ...made even more so by all of the lovely and talented feltmakers...


                                                    ...who recently spent time there!

                                                    

                                  Two intensive 2-day classes were offered by each instructor...


                                                             ...in this glorious setting...

                                      

                                              ...surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery.

                                     

                                                        It was so good to be among friends...


                                           ...and to be inspired by such wonderful projects!


                                       Most of our tired but happy group at dinner on the last night.


                                                             Next time: studio photos.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

'After Klimt' Nuno Felted Jacket- Part 4 of 4

 Detail of pre-felt shapes over hand-dyed silk.


A circle of finished felt (inside) reinforces the button.


French seams were used for a finished look.


                                                     More pre-felt details...and glorious ruching!


                                                           The front panels of the jacket...

                                              
                                 
                                                             ...and more close-ups...

                                    

                                                             ...of silk and pre-felt bits.


                                                          Aren't the colors spectacular?!?                                       
                                                  


Here I am, modeling the jacket at Felter's Rendezvous...

...all set for our felt fashion show!


Thursday, March 6, 2014

'After Klimt' Nuno Felted Jacket- Part 3 of 4


                                             The front of the jacket, all cut out and ready to sew...


                                                                    ...and the back.
     

                                                   Pinning the side seam, prior to sewing.


A detail of the jacket front.


The back of the completed jacket...


                                                             ...and a sleeve detail.


                                       The jacket interior (French seams were sewn throughout).


                                                                    The jacket front...


                                                 ...and again, here, in all of its riotous color!


                                                  Next time: more detail and close-up photos.


Tuesday, March 4, 2014

'After Klimt' Nuno Felted Jacket- Part 2 of 4


                                                 The finished felt yardage for the jacket back.


                                                    Laying out small pre-felt squares...
                                             

                                            ...and covering them with sections of colorful silk...


                                                     ...for part one of the jacket front.


                                                       Assembling the last section of felt...


                                        ...with a center panel that mirrors that of the other side.


                                                 The finished felt yardage for the jacket front.


                                                        Cutting out the pattern pieces...


                                                 ...and filling in 'empty' areas where necessary.                                         


                                   One of the advantages of making felt pieces more or less 'to size'...

                                     ...is that you don't waste a lot of time, effort or materials.

                         Of course, this also means that if you underestimate your shrinkage...

                                       ...you'll have to do a small bit of piecing, as I did here.

                                                 Next time: the finished jacket.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

'After Klimt' Nuno Felted Jacket- Part 1 of 4

Sewing up a toile in my size...

...from a piece of an old bedsheet.


                                      Using the pattern piece to gauge the size of my felt layout.


                                       From gifted, hand-dyed silk in a riot of colors and textures...

                                                    ...thanks, again, Lorin...


                                                    ...I created my own jigsaw puzzle...


                                               ...as I laid out the first quarter of my jacket.


                                                Covering the silk with one layer of superfine merino...

                                                          ...one layer of black silk gauze...


                                          ...and, later, flipping it over to the 'right' side for further felting.


                                                         Laying out section number two.


Full disclosure...

...I had a little help with the rolling! ;)


                                      For several years, now, I've been meaning to draft a simple pattern...

                                            ...from a knit jacket of mine that fits well.

                                               While my friend, Lorin, was visiting recently...

                                              ...we finally took a stab at creating one!

                                              When I sewed it up into a toile last week...

                                              ...I found that it still needed a couple of alterations.

                                                       Once I had tweaked it a bit...

                                             ...I set about making felt 'yardage' for it!

                                            Next time: the front jacket panels are formed.